Thank you sugarcube_naptime for the request!

Kitten! Virgil Caregiver! Janus

--

Janus and Remus have been accepted, not in a sense that Thomas believes that they are "good" but rather in a sense that accepts that they are a part of him, and he wouldn't be Thomas without them—this more so applies to Remus rather than Janus, as Janus does represent self-preservation, which while some may argue as selfish, it is sometimes deemed necessary.

That being said, Janus' relationship with the others has excelled as of late. He and Patton spend the most time with each other, Janus enjoys his company and is a wonderful taste tester for all of Patton's wonderful sweets and treats that he has cooked up in the kitchen. Janus and Logan enjoy reading in each of theirs company and occasionally, they spend their time with each other playing chess—which also translates to Janus demolishing Logan and said nerd swearing to never play with him again until Janus baits him into repeating his losing streak. Even he and Roman have begun to repair their damaged relationship, in which Janus has entertained Roman's babbles of everything and anything. Everyone is still a bit wary of Remus though, not that the side cared.

However, despite the improvements, he was still left with resistance and hesitancy from the only one left.

Virgil

After their fight which had led to Virgil leaving the Darkside, Janus and the brooding side have been on rough terms. He had attempted to speak with Virgil, but the side absolutely refused to listen to him. Janus wasn't that surprised, he's as stubborn as a mule.

But Janus wanted their relationship to recover. He had come to terms that it would never be like how it was before, but he at least wanted to progress to a period where Virgil wouldn't glare at him the entirety of when he wavered in the same room as him.

Janus tried not to think too much about their broken relationship and focused on the positive things that the light sides brought.

Which happened to include their large fridge filled with many snacks that he happily allows himself to indulge in at midnight. Tonight was not unlike any other, having woken up with a certain craving for a few of Patton's snickerdoodles that he had helped create. He began creeping towards the kitchen, cautious to step lightly, as he didn't want to alert the others at this hour. A good night's rest is important after all, and if they ever needed help with sleeping, Janus would be happy to provide his list of possible solutions. After all, Janus empowers the part of self-care, hence the allowance of surrendering to sweet cravings and sleeping solutions. He believes in allowing oneself to be happy, without the consequences of others' opinions. As long as one is happy and healthy, the food one eats shouldn't matter.

However, as he peered around the corner into the kitchen, he can't say he was expecting to find Virgil sitting on the counter, sipping out of a plastic cup while lightly swiping at the bag of cookies Patton had left on the counter—possibly too exhausted to neatly stack them in the cookie jar like usual, which, Janus couldn't blame him, he wouldn't want to tediously stack cookies after baking them all day either. What surprised Janus most though was just how adorable he appeared. His eyeshadow is light purple and sparkled in happiness, even if he only had a small grin on his face. The bottom of his black socks that slid up to his knee has the mock print of cat toes and—is he wearing a choker with a bell?

Janus stood there, listening for a moment, and with Virgil's small movements, he was able to hear the quiet ring of the said plastic bell. Indeed, he is wearing a white choker with a golden bell.

Deciding he didn't want to linger any further, but he also didn't want to bother the man, he quietly, and quickly backed out of the room, pretending that he was never there, and as the man didn't react to his shadow, he believed he was free from the awkward conversation that was sure to follow if he had looked up.

However, Janus decided another uneasy conversation was needed—such as the conversation about their friendship. He ignored the midnight loitering one, but their fight he felt, was in the past, and he just prayed that Virgil would at least try to work this out, it wasn't as if he was very innocent throughout their screaming match anyways. There are two sides to every story after all.

That being said, Janus found himself on a mission towards a dark purple door with black skulls—opposed to spiders like he originally wanted due to Patton's fear.

As he arrived, he stared at the handle.

And then the sign that spelled out "Virgil" in thin, sharp lines.

And then back towards the bronze handle.

And then the sign.

Handle.

Sign.

Handle.

Sign.

Handle.

Si-

Janus took a deep breath and placed his gloved hand on the knob before suddenly twisting it and pushing open the door, too anxious about their future conversation to even think about knocking.

However, he wish he had, because he was sure he was not supposed to be looking at Virgil in his violet stitched hoodie, legs swinging in the air, laying on his tummy, fiddling with a black ball of yarn, a pair of soft, fuzzy cat ears clipped into his hair, seeming content with the silence around him, which was odd, because Janus was sure Virgil hated silence, but things had changed.

Well, it seemed a lot of things had changed.

"Virgil?" He finds himself asking, he couldn't describe his tone even if he tried, it was soft, yet loud? Careful yet confused. Shocked and surprised as well. Many emotions went into that one little name, and yet, Janus could only pinpoint one from Virgil.

He jumped at the sound of his voice, his eyes widening so far that Janus was sure they would pop out of his sockets. He froze in place for a moment, seeming unable to respond. Suddenly, his flight instincts sunk in, and in a flash, Virgil scrambled off his bed and rushed towards his closet, shutting the door behind him collapsing against the inside, attempting to hide behind his rows of clothing, his breathing speeding up.

Janus managed to break out of his own frozen state, his expression softening. He delicately strode towards the door that had been slammed shut and slowly opened it, wanting to be sure that he didn't freak the other side out any further.

And God, Virgil looked so vulnerable.

Janus hated it, Virgil is tense and standoff, usually it's as if he had a shield over his fears and secrets, hissing at anyone that dared to dig down deep enough to try and find them.

And it seemed Janus found a very vulnerable one because Virgil was curled in on himself, digging his nails into his arms, glaring weakly at Janus, eyes narrowed and lips pulled into a threatening sneer. A low sound sang in the back of his throat, and it reminded Janus of a cat warning before they had enough and pounced, claws at the ready. Deciding he didn't want a taste of the sharp claws or teeth that Virgil held, he gradually lowered himself onto the ground, sitting with his legs crossed and hands within his view.

"Virgil, I won't hurt you," He assures sincerely, but it didn't count until he slipped his gloves off and set them aside. Virgil's shoulders seemed to lower at the action, and the noise reduced in volume, but he didn't dare move. Janus' eyes slid down towards his hand and noticed them shaking and digging further into his skin, but that just wouldn't do.

Janus craned his neck behind him and noticed the little ball of yarn from before and slowly stood, his heart clenching as Virgil's shoulders shot up in alarm, watching Janus like a hawk. As he began backing away, Janus made sure to stay within view as he lifted the yarn off the ground and returned to his original soot. Sitting, he twirled the yarn in between his fingers, a gentle smile appearing on his face as the side's eyes fell on it, almost entranced by the movement of Janus rolling it in between his index finger and thumb.

Janus wasn't sure how much time clicked by before he finally dropped it onto the ground and swirled it over. He watched curiously as Virgil batted his hand forward, pushing it around slightly before hitting it a bit too hard, causing it to roll right back to Janus.

At the loss, Virgil looked ready to leap towards it, however, refrained from doing so as Janus pressed a finger against it and swiveled it in circles. Within seconds, he tossed it back towards Virgil, who gladly batted at it, carefully nipping at the end of the string and batting at it with his hand. To most, it would look strange, but to Janus, it was just so very cute.

"Do you like yarn Virgil?" He asks softly, keeping his tone quiet and smooth. Virgil seemed to shrink away as he spoke and frowned slightly, his actions suddenly pausing.

As several moments of static went by, Janus hummed. "You don't have to speak, my apologies Virgil, just continue to play then. I didn't mean to startle you or interrupt," He assures, truths spilling off his tongue easily without his gloves.

Virgil merely fiddled with the yarn, this time with two hands, whirling it around in his hands.

Janus sighed softly and stood once more, grabbing his gloves as he did. "I'm sure you'd like to be alone, my apologies again Virgil, believe me, I won't tell a soul of this, you seem uncomfortable with others knowing," He explains, turning to leave. He didn't believe his company was welcomed.

At least, until a little ball of yarn hit the back of his foot. Turning his head, he noticed Virgil had crawled forward ever so slightly. The change was barely noticeable but Janus noticed. Now he knew he was stuck, and yet, as he eased himself down, and cramps began to form, he found himself not caring, because he was playing with Virgil.

Virgil is playing with him.

He never thought this would be his reality but he wouldn't have it any other way, especially as he slowly slid closer and closer until he was mere inches away. It was like a dream, and Janus did pinch himself to make sure he hadn't passed out within the last few hours that he hadn't noticed.

But he was awake, wide awake.

With Virgil.

In his room.

Passing a ball of yarn back and forth.

That is until Virgil's stomach gave a small growl.

Stopping, Virgil jumped and grabbed at his stomach, ducking his head, a fierce blush on his cheeks, but Janus only chuckled, his cheeks were beginning to sting with how much smiling he was doing.

"Are you hungry Kitten?" The pet name rolled off his tongue without him noticing, but judging by the huff of embarrassment, the man in question had noticed.

He didn't answer of course, but Janus didn't need him to. Instead, he stood with grace and offered a hand to the other, only to have him stare. Realizing the situation, he allowed it to fall at his side. "I see, no walking then? How about I bring you something to eat then? Do you fancy chicken or fish?"

Virgil perked up at the word fish and he leaned in slightly, and Janus snickered, clearly knowing the answer. "Fish it is, I'll see what we have. I know this is cliche, but would you like a bit of milk to go with it?"

And at that point, Janus didn't know his reactions could get any cuter. However, when he leaned over and carefully nudged his legs, rubbing his artificial ears on him, Janus nearly died from such a precious sight. How dare this dark and brooding creature tear him down and wrap around his heart? Janus was supposed to be the serpent here.

Experimenting, Janus dipped his hand down and lightly began to pet his head. He listened carefully and grinned brightly at the soft purr that vibrated softly. He slumped against his leg, his eyes closing as the sound of ecstasy grew.

Eventually, he did stop, earning a low whine from him. Janus only shook his head.

"It's alright sweet kitten, I'll be back with your fish and you can have all the head pats you'd like. Sound good?"

He received a silent nod in response.